Cities are often known for their architecture. In New York City, the Flatiron Building and the Empire State Building draw visitors each year. In San Francisco, the skyline would not be complete without the Bank of America Tower. The same is true for Albany. Here are three buildings that not only make up the skyline in Albany but also have a rich history.
Old Albany Academy
Designed by Philip Hooker, the original Albany Academy building is a federal style brownstone found in downtown Albany and is the oldest building in the city. As the name suggests, the building served as a preparatory school up until the 1930s. Albany Academy then moved to another building, where it still resides. The city’s school district’s headquarters is now located at the old Albany Academy building.
A well-known statue of one of the school’s principals, Joseph Henry, stands outside. It commemorates his contributions to electrical conductance, which he helped discover while doing experiments in the building. These experiments led to the eventual creation of the telegraph and telecommunications, as we know them today.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception serves as the heart of the Diocese of Albany. Designed by Irish-American architect Patrick Keely, the church was built in 1850, in part, to accommodate the influx of Catholics immigrating to the city. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the oldest cathedral in the United States, following St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. It is the first Neo-Gothic Catholic cathedral in the United States. It took four years to build after being commissioned by Bishop John McCloskey.
The south tower took 40 years to complete. The cathedral served as the tallest building in Albany when completed. It still has its original stained-glass windows, which came from England, and features an award-winning Stations of the Cross. Notable events held here include a visit from the Archbishop of Canterbury, weddings of two Catholic Governor’s daughters, and the first-ever forgiveness service between Catholics and Jews on Palm Sunday.
Albany City Hall
Architect Henry Hobson Richardson designed Albany City Hall in Romanesque architectural style at the high point of his career. Completed in 1883, the new building replaced the old city hall that burned down in a fire in 1880. The Albany City Hall still stands and serves its residents today. The mayor’s office is there, along with the traffic courts and other city services. The building features a tower that stands over 200 feet high. Like the other buildings listed, Albany City Hall is part of the United States Register of Historic Places.
Famous architectural buildings are interesting to look at. They also hold their own unique place in history. Albany would not be the same without the old Albany Academy, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and Albany City Hall buildings. Plan a sightseeing tour of all three, and more, on your next trip to Albany.
